In a popular new mini hockey game, players use small launchers
with springs to move a 4 gram puck. Each spring has a spring
constant of 140 N/m and can be compressed up to 4 cm. Determine the
maximum speed with which the puck can be launched.
Instructions
Follow the steps below to solve this problem:
Draw a sketch of the situation, labeling all of the physical
quantities given in the problem. Identify your system in the
sketch. Make sure both the initial and final states are represented
in your sketch.
Draw a motion diagram and
a work-energy bar chart. Take the moment
when the spring is fully compressed right before the puck is
launched as your initial state and after the spring is fully
relaxed and the puck is moving at its highest speed as your final
state.
Solve for the maximum speed with which the puck can be
launched. Show all of the work necessary to reach your solution.
Start with general equations and
explain what you are doing
and why you did what you
did.
Evaluate your solution. Describe how you evaluated your answer
and whether or not you think your answer is reasonable.